The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-08-13

"Buenos dias, senorita,"
The speaker was a handsome young
Spaniard, with clean-cut, olive-tinted fea-
lures, and luminous black eyes. Theyoung
lady he addressed turned her head quickly
"a very pretty little head it was, covered
ls----i:--,, s,-i-l---- s--A esi-s-
ptir of merry blue eyes on her ipterlocu,
tor, replied, in English
"Good morning, Don Ramon. How is
the painting getting on?"
II have brought it to show you, senori.
ia. 1t is finished"
So saying, Ramon Alvarez turned can.
vas he held in his hand round, and offered
it for Miss O'Brian's inspection. She
wrinkled her forehead, pursed up her rosy
lips and tried to look very knowing; he
regarded her, meantime, with a glance in
which admiration was quite untempered by
criticism.
This little scene took place in the strip
of terraced ground within the precincts of
the Alhambra, which goes by the name Of
Charles VS. garden. 1t made a pretty
setting to the two young figures, this mar
row shelf in the steep hillside, backed by
the time-stained wall of the fortress, and
filed to overaowing with flowers and trail
ing plants.
A wall about two feet high and four
broad bounds the garden on the outer side,
and sitting sideways on it, Miss O'Brian s
slight figure stood out against the azure
sky. Don Ramon knelt one knee on the
wall beside her The birds twittered as
they tended their families in the cracks of
the old wall above, faint sounds came up
from the busy town far below, insects
buzzed in the sunshine, roses and heliotrope
scented the air
A quick footstep broke the charm which
was keeping the young people silent, and
sharp, high voice exclaimed:
"Here you are, at last. I've been look
ing for you everywhere.
Don Ramon looked rs if the new-com-
er's search might have lasted a good while
longer without causing him any qneasiHesG,
but he said nothing, and Mr.. Birley-for
that was the name of the intruder-put one
foot up on the wall, and, falling into an
attitude remarkable for ease rather than
elegance, prepared to make himself agree
able. He was young Bostonian, who,
because he belonged to the Athens of
America, considered it necessary to ape the
tone of his cultured fellow-eitisens,, He
also prided himself on his accent, and 'iam.
bitioned'' to be mistaken for an English
man. Alterations apart, he was a good
natured fellow, with great deal of shrewd-
ness, where money was concerned. As he
stood beside Don Ramon, his lanky figure,
pale face, and scanty fair hair made strong
contrast to the supple form and rich COLOR
ing of the Spaniard.
Miss Patty o Brian, her aunt, Miss Wick
ham, Don Ramon, and Mr. Birley were all
staying at the "Fonda de los Siete Suelos, !"
that charmingly-situated hotel nesting in
the "bosques" or groves Of the Alhambra.
They were all four making stay of some
duration, and had arrived at that sort Of
intimacy which grows up between people
who are in the habit of closing up their
chairs at dinner after an exodus of chance
tourists, and saying to each other:
$50 glad all those chattering people are
gone. It's quite pleasant to be to ourselves
again.
Seeing that his companions were rather
inclined to be silent, Mr.. Birley, who had
an unfailing supply of small talk, began to
entertain them.
"Fine view, this" said he, waving his
hand outwards. "Not equal, perhaps, to
the bays of San Francisco and Naples, or
the Golden Horn, all of which l have seen;
but still remarkable"
"Well, you see, Mr.. Bireley, as Granada
is not situated by the sea, we can't look out
over its bay, which makes all the differ
ence," Patty remarked, demurely. "Ney-
ertheless, / am mean-spirited enough to be
quite satisfied with it as it is; are not you,
Don Ramon?"
"'Quien no ha visto Granada, no ha yisto
NADIA, = is one of our sayings. Whether
it is true or not, l leave for unprejudiced
eaHe who has not seen Granada has seen nothing.